The Baltimore Ravens Land In The Big Easy

The Ravens team has been riding high this month. They were escorted to their hotel and have been anticipating this business trip.

Monday is the anniversary of the Ravens’ first Super Bowl win.

Mark Viviano reports Louisiana native Ed Reed was one of the first to get off the plane, followed by quarterback Joe Flacco.

The Ravens arrived Monday afternoon. Their opponent, the 49ers, got to New Orleans first.

The NFC champs touched down about 24 hours ahead of the Ravens, settling into their Super Bowl surroundings. And like most of the Ravens, the 49ers are experiencing it all for the first time.

“Today, I think it actually confirmed for a lot of people that it’s really real,” said Ray Lewis. “The bottom line is, we’re here to win a game and there’s only two teams left right now.”

It’s a really big game against San Francisco. Are the Ravens ready?

“For us to be where we are right now, we have to finish,” Lewis said.

“We’re a team that’s gone through a lot,” said Joe Flacco. “I think we’ll draw on that and try to play a loose football game.”

“Unchartered waters for a rookie Super Bowl coach, but that’s exciting, too. We have a great thrill and great desire to be here in unchartered waters. Our coaches and our players have always relished and have always thrived in that kind of environment,” said Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco head coach.

When it comes to overall experience, the Ravens have an advantage with Flacco.

Five years in the league, he’s already quarterbacked 10 playoff games. That’s more games than San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick has played in his entire pro career.

So, is Kaepernick nervous about his first Super Bowl?

“I think I’ve always been prepared for this. All the coaches I had growing up–high school, college, Coach Harbaugh– everybody who has ever worked with me has helped me,” he said.

The Ravens are just settling into their team hotel in downtown New Orleans. Monday night, after a team meeting, the team sat down to a home-cooked welcome dinner.

Louisiana native Jacoby Jones is a Louisiana native. His mother is preparing several batches of Louisiana gumbo.

Mark Viviano is sports director for WJZ.
Most recently, Mark was studio anchor and national correspondent for CNN-Sports Illustrated, a position he assumed after leaving the Baltimore NBC affiliate television station WBAL-TV in December...